Welcome to the BIM Freak Blog, I’m Laura Kay Smith of Vancouver, B.C.
I have been in the Technology Management side of Architecture for over 20 years as both a business consultant and in-house expert developing and helping firms to use and harness technology to create better design. As a thought and technology leader I work to introduce new approaches that assist architectural teams by transforming technology and design challenges into opportunities for innovation and excellence.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, I moved to Vancouver BC Canada in January 2011. I’ve contributed to the advancement of BIM in Vancouver, BC by being a part of CanBIM, SmartBIM, conferences, and user groups. As the author of the blog, BIMFreak, and the ebook “How to Be a BIM Advocate” my goal is to be a resource for implementing BIM technology and provides expertise to guide all levels of BIM users towards successful and future-proof technology solutions.
It is amazing to see how far technology has come in the AEC industry since my start in 1994: in 20 years the landscape has completely transformed. When I was first hired, my firm had no internet, constant fights with consultants about AutoCAD, and clients who firmly believed AutoCAD cost more than drawing by hand. Although the technology has changed, 20 years later we are dancing the same tango.
I write this blog to help others trying to move towards full BIM implementation in their office. I’d like to think that my struggles and triumphs can help others move forward; hopefully this blog can show you some useful tips that I had to figure out on my own. It’s been 3 years since I wrote my first post and I’ve heard from a lot of you that my approach has helped you work through BIM implementation problems. I am currently going through a shift in how I approach the implementation of BIM, which I am working to reflect in my blog posts.
I have also been seconded to work as an Auxiliary Professor at Vancouver Community College in the CAD & BIM Technologies Department. I’m working with the Department Leader to create a course on Integrated Design Projects that teaches students about how Level 3 BIM works in a real project. When the course is complete, these students will have the information they need to write a BIM Execution Plan and model a sample project over a full-time 8 week course.
At the keynote address in Vegas for Autodesk University 2013 there was a great quote: “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn” (Video is here). Technology moves quickly and if we don’t jump on the train we will become relics.
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